This is a recipe that originates in the home town of my parents Dersim (Tunceli), as The Turkish Cookbook points out. It’s prepared during the end of the 12-day-fasting of the Alevis, a natural religion that is comparable to Shamanism but was later influenced by Islam. Alevi women share their Aşure – which typically consists of 12 ingredients – between their neighbours, friends, relatives and other people. However, it’s ok to make Aşure when one feels like it. I felt like making a raw Aşure:
Serves 2. Preparation time: 15 min plus 8 hours soaking and 2 days of sprouting
INGREDIENTS
- 4 large dried figs, roughly chopped, soaked
- 2 glasses of water, adjust depending on the size of the figs, use the water from the soaked fruits for this too
- 6 Medjool dates, roughly chopped, then soaked
- 2 tbsp raisins, soaked
- 10 Brazil nuts, soaked
- 2 tbsp pistachios, soaked
- 2 tbsp almonds, halved lengthwise, then soaked
- 2 tbsp hazelnuts, soaked
- 4 tbsp each of fenugreek, lentil, radish sprouts
- 1 slice of orange zest, sliced into very thin and long ribbons and cut about 1 tsp into tiny dices
METHOD
Soak the nuts and almonds in one cup of water and the dried fruits in another. Soak the dried fruits in as little water as possible (covering them is enough) to make sure they won’t lose too much of their flavour. Blend 2 figs and 2 dates in the water. Put this thick smoothie (it’s not really a pudding) in a bowl, add the nuts, almonds, dried fruits and sprouts (leave a little to garnish). Garnish with orange zest and sprouts.